Senior Staff Engineer, Structures - Launch Recovery Vehicle (R4765)

Shield AI is hiring a Senior Staff Engineer, Structures - Launch Recovery Vehicle (R4765) in Seattle, United States. It pays $200k-$300k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Shield AI.

Level's read on this job

Level rates this role Little AI ●○○○: aI is not part of the work.
Level classes it as a lead role.
Shield AI has 662 other open roles on Level.

AI in this role

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Job Description:

Shield AI is pioneering the development of AI-powered autonomous aircraft for national defense, pushing the boundaries of aerospace innovation. Our next gen UAS is a next-generation, high-endurance unmanned system designed for deployment in complex, contested environments.
We are seeking a Structures Design Engineer to lead the design, development, and testing of a novel launch and recovery system for our next gen UAS. This role is instrumental in creating robust, field-deployable support systems that enable aircraft operations, maintenance, and sustainment in military environments.
This position requires deep expertise in mechanical design, structural analysis, and aerospace ground systems. You will work closely with engineering, manufacturing, and flight operations teams to develop innovative support solutions that enhance mission effectiveness and operational efficiency.

What you'll do:

Design and develop mechanical systems for a Launch and Recovery System, including power units, transport structures, launch & recovery functions, and maintenance tools.
Create detailed CAD models, drawings, and specifications for manufacturing and assembly.
Conduct structural, thermal, and fatigue analysis to ensure durability and reliability of launcher systems in field environments.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate launcher with aircraft systems and mission operations.
Perform trade studies and system optimization to enhance portability, ruggedness, and maintainability of support systems.
Oversee prototyping, testing, and validation of launcher designs to meet military and aviation standards.
Develop technical documentation, test procedures, and support manuals for field operations.
Work with suppliers and manufacturing partners to ensure cost-effective production and sustainment of launcher system.
Support flight test campaigns by providing engineering support for ground and test operations.

Required qualifications:

10+ years of experience in mechanical design for aerospace, ground support equipment, or heavy industrial systems.
Expertise in CAD software (SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, or similar) for 3D modeling, drawing creation, and system layout.
Strong background in structural analysis, material selection, and manufacturing processes for ruggedized systems.
Experience designing deployable, transportable, and field-ready aerospace support equipment.
Knowledge of MIL-STD design requirements for aerospace systems.
Experience with finite element analysis (FEA), thermal analysis, and fatigue/lifecycle testing.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, agile development environment with evolving priorities.
Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.

Preferred qualifications:

Experience designing UAS or military aircraft ground support equipment.
Knowledge of power distribution, hydraulics, and environmental control systems for aerospace applications.
Experience with DoD acquisition, sustainment, and field deployment strategies.
Prior experience supporting military aircraft maintenance and sustainment operations.
Active Secret or Top Secret clearance (or ability to obtain one).

#LI-MS1 #LE
Full-time regular employee offer package: Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity Temporary employee offer package: Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment) Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information. ### Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

How we rate this

Senior Staff Engineer, Structures - Launch Recovery Vehicle (R4765) at Shield AI rates 31 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Little AI (AI Level 1 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Little AI. AI is not part of the work.

●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.

Key facts

Senior Staff Engineer, Structures - Launch Recovery Vehicle (R4765) is an open job at Shield AI.
Level rates this role AI Level 1 of 4: Little AI.
The listed salary is $200k-$300k a year.
The role is based in Seattle, Washington.
The job was posted on April 7, 2026.
Seniority: lead.
Applications are handled by Shield AI. Apply on Shield AI